I started taking photos with a Brownie box camera when I was 11 years old in 1959 -- long before I made the "responsible" decision to become a lawyer. I bought my first film SLR in early 1966, a Praktica Mat manufactured by VEB Pentacon Dresden in East Germany. In 1968, I got a Mamiya-Sekor 1000 DTL. I used that camera until the 1980's when I bought my last film SLR, a Pentax SuperProgram. That camera served me well until the digital revolution struck. In 1998, I purchased my first digital camera, a Nikon Coolpix 900. That led to a Coolpix 995, a Sony F828, a Canon EOS 350D, two 30D's, two 40D's, two 50D's, and, now, a 5D Mark II and 1D Mark III. I've shot only two rolls of film since 1998, and, by and large, I don’t miss it. I shoot most of my photos using two lenses, a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM and a Canon EF 17-40mm f/4. L USM. I also have a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM for special occasions. And, for product photography, I use a an EF 180mm f/3.5 L USM Macro.
While my photographic tools have changed, photography hasn’t. An f/stop is still an f/stop, a shutter button still is a shutter button, and a focus ring is still a focus ring. And, most importantly, it's what's behind the viewfinder that counts the most -- the photographer’s knowledge and vision. That's what I try to teach my photography students at Frederick Community College. SWITCH off auto, LEARN how to USE the tool, SEE the world in a new, exciting way, and CAPTURE it forever inside your magic machine!
Thanks for dropping by! Now, go look at some "eye candy"!
